Catholic Charities Raised Much-Needed Funds for Agency Programs At 12th Annual Celebration of Charity Event
400+ guests supported non-profit and celebrated the commitment of Caritas Award honorees
Goshen, NY – Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan hosted its 12th annual Celebration of Charity dinner with more than 400 friends and supporters in attendance. The highlight of the non-profit human service agency’s premier fundraiser was the presentation of the Caritas Awards, which recognize the commitment and contributions of community-minded individuals who exemplify the agency’s mission to provide help and create hope.
The 2018 Caritas Award honorees were: Fr. Thomas Byrnes, Betsy Johnston, and the Outreach Ministries of Sacred Heart Church in Monroe; Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler; Linda Muller, President and CEO of Cornerstone Family Healthcare; and iHeartMedia of the Hudson Valley, represented by Chuck Benfer, Regional Market President.
The evening of celebration was led by Master of Ceremonies Tom Urtz, Catholic Charities Board Chair and Vice President of Operations for ShopRite Supermarkets. “Each Caritas award recipient embodies the Catholic Charities mission to provide help and create hope for the needy and vulnerable in our community,” said Urtz. “They strive to make a positive difference in the lives of others and Catholic Charities is incredibly blessed to count them among our friends and partners.”
The Celebration of Charity dinner is Catholic Charities’ largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s event grossed more than $116,000. All of the money raised will be used to support Catholic Charities programs, including addiction treatment and prevention services, and anti-poverty support, such as emergency food and shelter assistance. The services of Catholic Charities are provided to those in need, regardless of religion or ability to pay.
Dr. Dean Scher, CEO for Catholic Charities, added to the excitement of the evening with a special announcement that Catholic Charities of Orange and Sullivan has expanded services into Ulster County. Last year, the agency received a grant from New York State to address the opioid crisis in areas of Ulster County that frequently have difficulty accessing treatment services.
“Catholic Charities is frequently on the frontlines, helping those in need with their fight against addiction, poverty, hunger, homelessness, and other challenges of life. It is thanks to the spirit of collaboration and generosity from supporters like our 2018 Caritas recipients, as well as our many corporate sponsors and non-profit partners, that we are able to lend a hand up so that those in need have the opportunity for a brighter future,” said Dr. Scher.
Sponsors and advertisers in the commemorative journal helped support the fundraising efforts of the 12th anniversary event. The top-level Platinum sponsors were Mediacom Communications, Schweppes, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. ShopRite Supermarkets hosted the event’s Social Hour, and Gold-level sponsors included DGC Capital Contracting Corp., Orange Regional Medical Center, Pepsi of the Hudson Valley, Leprechaun Lines, Coast to Coast Cleaning Systems, Mr. & Mrs. Skip Tetz, and Advance Building Solutions.
Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan is an integral part of the care delivery system for Orange and Sullivan Counties. Services include a continuum of support for those suffering from the disease of addiction, as well as prevention programs for youth and adults. Case management, eviction prevention, and housing resource services are also available to provide assistance to those facing issues of homelessness, hunger, and destitution. Last year, Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan served more than 52,000 individuals and families and is in the process of expanding the availability of services in Ulster County.
Catholic Charities’ next event is the annual golf outing to be held Monday, July 16, at West Hills Country Club in Middletown. Sponsorship and foursome opportunities are available. To learn more, contact Kristin Jensen, Chief Advancement Officer, at kristin.jensen@cccsos.org or 845.294-5124, ext. 303. To learn more about Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan, visit www.cccsos.org.
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Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan, as one of the human service agencies of Catholic Charities of The Archdiocese of New York, is committed to building a compassionate and just society. Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan serves the homeless, the hungry, the emotionally and physically handicapped, immigrants, and the marginalized and vulnerable of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. Catholic Charities collaborates with parishes and non-Catholic and Catholic partners alike to help people of all religions who are in need. For more information, visit www.cccsos.org.
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Caption: Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange and Sullivan marked its 12th anniversary with the annual Celebration of Charity Dinner, which included the presentation of the Caritas award to deserving community members who embody the non-profit agency’s mission to provide help and create hope. Pictured are Catholic Charities Board Chair Tom Urtz; Fr. Thomas Byrnes, Sacred Heart Parish Monroe; Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler; Linda Muller, President & CEO, Cornerstone Family Healthcare; Betsy Johnston, Director, Sacred Heart Parish Outreach Ministries; Dr. Dean Scher, CEO, Catholic Charities; and Chuck Benfer, Regional Market President, iHeartMedia of the Hudson Valley.
